Edwards Makes Stop in South Carolina

After placing second in Iowa and third in New Hampshire, Democratic Presidential Candidate John Edwards is setting his sights on trying to win South Carolina. He's got two weeks before the Democratic Primary on January 26th.

The former North Carolina Senator is on a four-day campaign bus tour in South Carolina.

Tonight Edwards attended a town hall on Saint Helena Island.

That's where News Three Night Side Reporter Alice Massimi caught up with the candidate for a one-on one interview.

Senator John Edwards was greeted with a standing ovation and deafening applause but before he took the stage he spoke to me about how important South Carolina is to him.

“I was born in South Carolina so I know what is happening in peoples’ lives this is a fight for the middle class and for working people and I think I have a chance,” says Edwards. 

Edwards says he's spoken to voters in the state and knows what’s important to them, “They are worried about jobs. They are worried about health care. They are worried about the war and they want a president who will deal with all those things.” 

Edwards spelled out how he would deal with one of those worries, “we need to end the war but it needs to be done the right way and in a responsible way. Which means, in my case, I would start bringing troops out as soon as I was sworn into office but I would do it over a period of 9 to 10 months and I would do it in a way that maximizes the chances of stability in Iraq.” 

Friday night was the first stop of Edwards’ stump through South Carolina. The town hall meeting a chance for voters ask anything on their mind; from minimum wages to education to the war in Iraq the crowd got an idea on where Edwards stands.

“I believe the system in Washington is stacked against ordinary Americans and I don't think it works,” explains Edwards.

Martha and Rolland Towns attended the event because they are still undecided.

“I am hoping to hear his views. I've read about them but seeing someone in person sometimes you get a better feel for their true inner self,” Martha says.

“I have heard Obama talking about the future, I would like to hear some hope from this man tonight,” says Rolland.

Super Tuesday will be the test.